Leading Edge

Leadership takes many forms, but few styles capture attention and inspire action quite like charismatic leadership. Charismatic leaders tend to be optimistic and forward-looking. 

They articulate a clear vision, listen attentively, and connect meaningfully with those around them. Their influence often stems from strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, resilience, and determination. At their best, charismatic leaders motivate others not simply through authority, but through inspiration. 

The concept of charismatic leadership was first introduced by the sociologist Max Weber. Weber described charisma as a powerful element in the dynamics of power and authority. In his view, charismatic leaders possess a unique ability to connect with people emotionally. Their confidence, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence allow them to communicate ideas in ways that resonate deeply and motivate others toward shared goals. 

While charisma is often thought of as an innate quality, it is also expressed through learned skills, particularly communication. The ability to tell compelling stories, convey conviction, and create a sense of shared purpose is central to charismatic leadership. 

In the field of music therapy, one of the most compelling examples of charismatic leadership is Jennifer Buchanan. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Jennifer has spent more than 35 years practicing and advocating for music therapy. She is the founder of JB Music Therapy, an organization that employs a team of music therapists providing services across a wide range of care settings, from hospitals and schools to correctional facilities. Her work has helped expand awareness of music therapy as both a therapeutic and wellness-based practice. 

My first experience hearing Buchanan speak was at a national music therapy conference where she introduced the keynote speaker. From the moment she began, her presence filled the room. The pacing of her speech, the tone of her voice, and the thoughtful preparation behind her remarks were striking. What made the introduction particularly memorable was the way she shared a genuine personal connection to the speaker, drawing the audience into the moment. Since then, I have had the opportunity to hear her present in several different settings. Each time, the effect on the audience has been similar: people leave energized by the possibilities of music as a therapeutic and wellness modality. Her clinical stories are shared in a way that honours clients while also educating listeners about the real impact of music therapy. 

One reason Buchanan’s communication is so effective is her deep connection to the evolving field of music and health. She remains engaged with the real issues and emerging trends shaping the profession, as well as with the people leading that work. As a result, her ideas feel both relevant and timely, whether she is speaking from a stage, writing an article, or working directly with a client. Her warmth and passion are clearly part of her charisma, but they are supported by a deliberate commitment to improving her communication craft. 

Jennifer is also a professional member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS), a national organization dedicated to advancing excellence in professional speaking through ongoing development in areas such as message clarity, storytelling, audience engagement, and stagecraft. 

Through practice sessions, feedback, and coaching, she has refined how she delivers her message, learning to shape narratives, strengthen her stage presence, and engage audiences in meaningful ways. 

Another element of Buchanan’s influence is her commitment to writing. Her discipline with language is evident in her three published books: Tune In, Wellness Incorporated, and Wellness Wellplayed. Written for both healthcare professionals and broader audiences, these works explore the intersection of music, wellness, and business. 

Her writing style is accessible and engaging, combining personal stories with practical insights. Readers are drawn in by real-world examples and leave with ideas they can apply in their own lives and work. 

Leadership matters in every profession, and the field of music therapy is no exception. Leaders help build influence, support the development of evidence, and guide everyday practice. Jennifer Buchanan’s charismatic approach, grounded in open, connective communication, has helped advance the visibility and credibility of music therapy in Canada. Her example illustrates how powerful leadership can emerge from the combination of passion, communication, and a deep commitment to one’s field. 

For those working in music therapy and related disciplines, her leadership style offers something worth studying, and perhaps emulating, as the profession continues to grow.

I remember the day like it was yesterday; a visit to the Royal Infirmary in Leicester, England, to watch  a team of healthcare musicians led by Nick Cutts. 

What sticks with me is that there were two musicians, Nick with his guitar and Sarah with a plethora of instruments in a plastic cart on wheels she pulled behind her. This was a busy hospital ward, and they moved seamlessly from patient to patient. Musical engagement was personal, respectful, short, unobtrusive and well appreciated by each patient and the clinicians on the floor.

I didn’t know much about Healthcare Musicians before that day. Over a hot lunch in the hospital cafeteria, I learned that Nick had studied in France with a group called Musique & Santé that works for the promotion and dissemination of live music in hospitals and other health and social settings. Musical professionalism and the ability to improvise allows Healthcare Musicians to be as close as possible to the vulnerable person.

Unlike the clinical goals of a Music Therapist, Nick and his team of healthcare musicians at OPUS Music play high quality live music with cultural goals in mind. They want to connect, express emotion and enhance wellness in the people they meet by making music. 

One of the things that gives Nick a leading edge is his disciplined approach to reflective practice. Nick and his team meet regularly to review their experiences, gain insights from one another, refine and chronicle what they have seen through practice. These team touchpoints serve to foster continuous learning, enhance skills, and improve decision-making.

Reflective practice is likely the reason the team has stuck together as they have learned coping strategies and deepened trust in one another through self-awareness and making sense of their varied experiences. This thoughtful, supportive approach allows the team to engage in new opportunities with confidence and a sense of professional collegiality. 

The fruit of reflective practice over years is likely why Nick and his team at OPUS have been able to create a Quality Framework for Healthcare Musicians that defines and demonstrates what excellence looks like in the practice of Healthcare Musicianship. The first of its kind, this framework sets out clear standards of practice and core competencies that describe the skills, behaviours, and values underpinning high quality music making for health and wellbeing.

A leader models certain disciplines for the team. Nick’s commitment to the rigour of reflective practice has ensured a commitment to quality and the integrity of professional practice for his entire team and for the future of Healthcare Musicians around the world.

One of the highlights of my role at Room 217 is attending events that bring together people working at the intersection of arts and healthcare. I remember one particular event in 2017, hosted by Sheridan College’s Centre for Elder Research. It was there that I met Debra Chandler, an articulate and passionate arts manager whose energy and dedication immediately stood out.

Debra is the Executive Director of Concerts in Care Ontario (CiCO), an organization that delivers professionally curated live music programs to seniors living in long-term care, retirement homes, and homeless shelters across Ontario. These concerts are not simply entertainment—they are meaningful artistic engagements designed to uplift mood, reduce loneliness, and rekindle cherished memories. CiCO is part of a broader network of provincial organizations across Canada that share a common mission: to improve the quality of life for older adults through live music by professional musicians.

Although Debra took on her leadership role at CiCO in 2017, she brought with her a depth of experience in arts administration. She previously held positions with the Toronto Bach Festival, Livent, the Royal Conservatory of Music, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. In addition to being a skilled administrator, Debra is also a trained musician. She holds a Master of Music in Performance, with a focus on piano collaboration—a background that gives her a unique perspective on both the artistic and logistical dimensions of her work.

Recently, Debra was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented by Her Honour Edith Dumont, the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. This well-deserved honour recognized her tireless work with CiCO, and I was struck by how her Board described her leadership as “enduring.” Enduring leadership. Isn’t that what leaders truly hope for? That their work and impact continue to resonate, long after they’ve stepped away?

So what does it take to be an enduring leader? Debra’s story offers some powerful clues.

First, perseverance and innovation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when live performances in care homes were suddenly impossible, Debra pivoted quickly. She led the creation of live online concerts and a growing digital library of recorded performances. Her refusal to give up—and her willingness to innovate—ensured that seniors could continue to access the healing power of music.

Second, intelligence—both emotional and strategic. Debra’s warmth and authenticity leave a lasting impression. She’s deeply relational but also sharply analytical. She’s able to see the big picture while paying attention to details, always aligning her work with long-term goals and outcomes.

Third, action. Many leaders have great ideas, but few bring those ideas to life day after day. In the context of a small, nimble arts organization, Debra’s no-nonsense, action-oriented approach is key. Her humour, sensitivity, and drive allow her to execute bold ideas and meet ambitious targets.

Finally, collaboration. Debra exemplifies collaborative leadership—marked by open-mindedness, strong communication, empathy, accountability, and a commitment to shared goals. She puts the mission above ego, and in doing so, creates impact that outlasts her role.

Debra is a seasoned leader whose legacy endures—especially in the lives of Ontario seniors, made brighter through music.

I first met Miya, a fledgling Cultural Studies student from McMaster University in 2012, volunteering at the registration desk for our MUSIC CARE CONFERENCE. I was immediately impressed by her positive and cheerful attitude at the time which has no doubt been a contributor of her success today.

A leading Canadian music therapist and business owner of Miya Creative Care, Miya Adout is a graduate of Concordia University where she received a Master of Arts in Creative Arts Therapies. 

Miya works with individuals of all ages and abilities and specializes in dementia care. She opened her private practice in 2015 with the intention to empower and enrich lives through music. Now, with a team of 28 therapists – music, art and dance/movement therapists – she is doing just that. Miya Creative Care provides services to individuals and care facilities via both in-person and virtual sessions.

As a young healthcare entrepreneur, Miya’s positivity has been a great asset to her success at building partnerships with her clients and her team. Her can do attitude is infectious, endearing and simply contagious. No wonder healthcare administrators choose Miya Creative Care as service providers.

Yet positivity alone doesn’t sustain a leader over time. There’s something deeper that sustains through the ups and downs of business ownership and the responsibilities that come with it. My sense is that Miya is guided by values. Her values don’t just hang on the wall or appear on her website. She really believes them and lives them; subsequently she has created a team that is values-driven.

Values matter because they go beyond just achieving goals. While goals are specific, measurable, and time-bound, values serve as the foundational principles that shape our actions over time. Goals can be ticked off a list, but values represent a continuous journey, not limited to a particular destination. They define how we live, work, and the person we strive to become.

Miya and her team weave their five core values into everything they do, from collaboration with care partners, to the services they provide, to the team support offered each other. Respect, honesty and integrity are at the core. They are dedicated to providing quality care. The team is collaborative, creative and adaptable.

As we celebrate Music Therapy Month, we celebrate Miya Adout, whose vision is that every health and wellness organization throughout Ontario includes creative arts therapies as an integral part of their care model. And with her positivity and values-driven approach, she may very likely see it happen!